The war in Ukraine continues with cross-border attacks. Ukraine has confirmed that another major Russian refinery was targeted in the Volgorado region overnight. "The Volgorado refinery has been hit. It is one of the largest in the Russian Federation. Its projected refining capacity is around 14 million tons of oil per year, making it the sixth largest in Russia," said Andrí Kovalenko, head of the Disinformation Center of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, on social media.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported shooting down 49 Ukrainian drones across seven regions in the last few hours, while Kiev claims to have launched 102 drones tonight against Russia.
North Korean Soldiers "Withdraw" from the Kursk Front
Ukraine believes that North Korean troops deployed in the Russian region of Kursk have "withdrawn" due to heavy losses inflicted by the Ukrainian army, a spokesperson for Ukrainian special forces stated on Friday. "For the past three weeks, we have not seen or detected any activity or armed confrontation with the North Koreans," said Colonel Oleksandre Kindratenko, "so we believe they have withdrawn due to the heavy losses they have suffered thanks to us (special forces) and the Ukrainian defense forces," he added.
Journalists from the Russian newspaper 'Izvestia' Report Ukrainian Attack During Coverage in Kursk
The Russian newspaper 'Izvestia' reported on Friday that one of its teams was attacked by Russian troops with a drone while covering events in the Kursk province, where the Ukrainian Army has been conducting an offensive since August.
"The 'Izvestia' filming team was attacked by a FPV drone from the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the town of Pliojovo, in the Kursk region," the newspaper stated in a press release.
According to 'Izvestia,' the drone crashed into a building where several journalists were speaking with Russian Marine Infantry soldiers, but no details on possible casualties or injuries were provided.
Russian Deputies Introduce Bill to Tighten Restrictions on 'Foreign Agents'
The Security Committee of the Russian Duma (Lower House of Parliament) presented a bill to the legislature on Friday to tighten restrictions on individuals and entities designated as 'foreign agents,' further limiting their activities in the country.
"Today, we presented a new package of bills to the Duma aimed at defending our country's sovereignty and countering foreign interference," stated Vasili Piskariov, chairman of this committee and a deputy for United Russia, the Kremlin's party, on Telegram.
According to the legislator, the proposal includes "bans on foreign agents working in education, receiving state support at all levels, and stricter penalties for violating Russian laws."
Finland Announces New Aid Package for Ukraine, Bringing Total to 2.5 Billion
The Finnish Government announced a new military aid package to Ukraine worth nearly 200 million euros on Friday, the twenty-seventh since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, bringing Finland's total assistance to Kiev to 2.5 billion euros.
"This new package has been designed in close collaboration with Ukrainians. We are providing exactly the kind of support that will help Ukraine defend itself in the complex frontline situation," explained Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen in a statement.
The minister stated that Finland will not provide further information on the specific content, delivery method, or schedule of the aid to ensure the shipment's security.
Ukraine Avoids Clash with Trump and Seeks Alternatives to Suspended US Aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refrained from criticizing the new US administration's decision to suspend new international aid for 90 days to all countries except Israel and Egypt. After receiving a report on the affected projects in Ukraine, Zelensky instructed his administration and the government this week to address the most urgent needs with the limited remaining funds of the Ukrainian state, which has been forced to invest all its revenue in defense.
Ukraine Claims to Have Destroyed a Russian Command Post in the Kursk Region
Ukrainian military forces claim to have destroyed a Russian command post in Kursk on Friday in their efforts to disrupt Russian troop logistics operations in the area. "As a result of a coordinated and precise attack, the enemy's command and control post in Kursk has been destroyed," Ukrainian forces announced on Telegram.
Kremlin Irritated by Trump's Delayed Call
Nervousness is growing in the Kremlin due to the delay in the first phone call from US President Donald Trump to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, who has been signaling readiness to answer the phone.
"This issue arises practically every day, and every day we give the same response: there is no progress (...) Restoring political dialogue is undoubtedly necessary," stated Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to TASS.
The war in Ukraine is the most pressing issue, but there are other equally urgent matters to discuss between Moscow and Washington, such as NATO expansion, signing a new strategic disarmament treaty, and creating a new security architecture.
Russian Troops Seize Novovasylivka, an Important Logistics Hub in Donbas
Russian troops have captured the town of Novovasylivka, southwest of Pokrovsk, a significant logistics hub in Donbas that they had been trying to conquer for months. The town, which had around 350 inhabitants before the war, joins other towns taken by Russian forces in recent weeks as fighting continues for control of Kurajove, another Ukrainian stronghold about 50 kilometers away.
Maimed, Stressed, and Abandoned: War Dogs Seek Adoption Families
When they open her kennel, the dog Sara frantically wags her tail, hitting it against the wooden walls. "She is the most affectionate dog we have. All the volunteers are in love with her," says Natalia, the center's director. Sara approaches us, asking for pets with her severed paws. We oblige for a while. "She needs more care than any other dog due to her mutilation. She has to be lifted in a wheeled cart to go out and move around with her hind legs," comments Natalia.
Ukraine Attacks Russian Oil Refinery
The war in Ukraine continues with cross-border attacks. Ukraine has confirmed that another major Russian refinery was targeted in the Volgorado region overnight. "The Volgorado refinery has been hit. It is one of the largest in the Russian Federation. Its projected refining capacity is around 14 million tons of oil per year, making it the sixth largest in Russia," said Andrí Kovalenko, head of the Disinformation Center of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, on social media.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported shooting down 49 Ukrainian drones across seven regions in the last few hours, while Kiev claims to have launched 102 drones tonight against Russia.